WO2009007744A1

WO2009007744A1 - Illuminatable sign

Info

Publication number: WO2009007744A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/050537
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julian Batson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-09
Filing date: 2008-07-04
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-09
Also published as: GB2450978A; GB0713247D0; GB0812275D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to illuminatable signs (11), in particular to illuminatable signs (11) for displaying property names and numbers. We describe an illuminatable property sign (11) comprising: a display unit comprising a plurality of light sources (23) and a screen (24); and a control module. The plurality of light sources (23) are arranged to define a predefined alphanumeric character.

Description

ILLUMINATABLE SIGN

The present invention relates to illuminatable signs, in particular to illuminatable signs for displaying property names and numbers.

Illuminated house signs are generally known. For example, US 5,778,579 describes an illuminated house number comprising a hollow box having a transparent front- facing panel behind which is located a plastic sheet. The plastic sheet comprises an opaque portion and a translucent portion which form a character to be displayed. Behind the sheet is located an array of LEDs, arranged around the periphery of the box such that, in use, a uniform light is emitted through the translucent portion. Alternative arrangements are also known in which a single bulb is used to illuminate a similar panel or several bulbs are mounted immediately behind the panel.

However, such arrangements tend to have a lack of definition about the number or letters being displayed as each part of each character is a different distance from the source of illumination. This leads to difficulty in viewing the sign clearly from a distance.

The present invention provides an alternative illuminatable sign.

According to the present invention there is provided an illuminatable property sign comprising: a display unit comprising a plurality of light sources and a screen; and a control module, wherein the plurality of light sources are arranged to define a predefined alphanumeric character.

Suitably, the display unit comprises one or more display modules, each module defining a predefined alphanumeric character. Typically, the display unit comprises a plurality of display modules to represent a multicharacter display. Preferably, each display module comprises an alphanumeric character display formed from at least some of the plurality of light sources. Preferably, each display module further comprises module connecting means for connecting a plurality of display modules in series. Preferably, the module connecting means comprise physical connecting means such as complementary lugs and slots. Preferably, the module connecting means further comprise electrical connecting means.

Preferably, the display unit further comprises display unit connecting means for securing one or more display modules. Preferably, the display unit connecting means comprise physical connecting means such as complementary lugs and slots. Preferably, the display unit connecting means further comprise electrical connecting means. Preferably, the display unit connecting means are complementary to and engageable with the module connecting means.

Optionally, the sign further comprises an outer casing for housing a display unit. Suitably, the outer casing comprises display unit casing connecting means.

Preferably, the casing connecting means are complementary to and engageable with the connecting means of the display unit.

Preferably, the light sources are LEDs.

Suitably, the illuminatable property sign is powered by a mains power supply.

Alternatively, the illuminatable property sign is powered by a self-contained power supply. Preferably, the self-contained power supply comprises a battery unit which includes a rechargeable battery, and the illuminatable property sign further comprises a solar cell to store solar energy by charging the rechargeable battery. Optionally, the illuminatable property sign comprises a secondary power source, suitably in the form of a conventional battery.

Suitably, the illuminatable property sign further comprises a light source switching means. Preferably, the switching means comprises a photoactivable sensor to activate the light source in response to diminishing light conditions. Suitably, the switching means has three switching positions comprising an "off" position, a "sensor-activated on" position and an "on" position.

Suitably, the illuminatable property sign further comprises a passive infrared sensor.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be illustrated in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional side view of an illuminatable property sign in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 2A & 2B respectively illustrate a rear box and a screen cover of a modular display unit of the illuminatable property sign of Figure 1;

Figures 3A-E are front, side and close-up views of the display unit of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown an illuminatable property sign 10 fitted to an exterior house wall 9. The sign 10 is formed from a display unit 31 in which is located one or more display modules 11 and a control module (not shown). The display unit 31 is linked by wires 12 to a mains power supply 13. Alternatively, the property sign can be powered by a self-contained power supply in the form of a battery unit. In preferred embodiments, the display unit includes a solar cell and the self-contained power supply is a rechargeable battery. Furthermore, the illuminatable property sign can include a secondary power source, in the form of a conventional battery, for use in instances where the primary power supply fails or is interrupted. In preferred embodiments, the display unit is fitted within or integrally formed with an outer casing (not shown).

Display module 11, illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, is formed from a rectangular rear box 14 housing a circuit board such as a stripboard, breadboard or printed circuit board (PCB) 15 and a screen cover 24. The display module 11 forms part of a modular system, and is connectable with other similar units to create an illuminatable sign comprising multiple numbers and/or letters. Referring to Figure 2A, the rear box 14 is shown with physical connecting means in the form of male and female connectors, 20 and 21 respectively, for connecting several display modules in series

(not shown). Male connector 20 is a tab, located at one edge of the rear box 14, and further includes electrical connection means 22 for electrical and electronic connection with an adjacent display module(s). The female connector 21 is a slot, complementary in shape to tab 20, and located at an opposite edge of the rear box. The female connector also comprises electrical connection means (not shown) for electrical and electronic connection with the male tab of an adjacent display module.

Printed circuit board 15 includes an array of individual light sources in the form of LEDs 23, in which the array definitively maps a character in the form of a numeral or letter, as depicted by the number '2'.

Referring now to Figure 2B, there is shown a screen 24 having a translucent portion 25 and an opaque portion 30 which form a character to be displayed and illuminated in use. In an assembled configuration, screen 24 is located over and fitted to rear box 14, with the translucent portion 25 corresponding to the LEDs 23 of PCB 15. This structure forms a modular display module 11. In use, when the LEDs are illuminated, light is emitted through the translucent portion 25 of the screen 24 to display an illuminated character. Translucent portion 25 may be formed by etching or any other suitable method, according to the effect desired.

Figures 3A to 3C illustrate a display unit 31 for housing a single display module 11. The display unit 31 is a box-like structure into which the display module 11 is fitted and locked through the engagement of location slots 32 at the edges of the display unit 31, with corresponding lugs 33 (see Figure 3E) of the display module 11. Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, a first end of display unit 31 includes a module connecting slot 34, central aperture 35 and module connecting means in the form of hooks 40. Figures 3B and 3C illustrate a second end of display unit 31, diametrically opposite to the first end, which includes module connecting tab 41, central aperture 35' and apertures 42. The apertures 42 correspond to and are engageable with module connecting hooks 40.

In assembling an illuminating property sign 10, a display module is located within a display unit 31 such that the male connection 20 of PCB 15 is passed through the central aperture 35,35' of either the first or second ends, and lugs 33 located on the rear face of rear box 14, engage with and lock into the slots 32 located in display unit 31 (not shown). Thus, central apertures 35,35' enable the PCBs of adjacent units to be electrically connected in series.

In an alternative system, display units which are capable of accommodating two, or more display modules are provided. In this alternative system, several display modules are linked together before being fixed into a single display unit dimensioned to accommodate the specific number of display modules so linked.

In further preferred alternative embodiments, the display unit is fitted within an outer casing. In such embodiments the outer casing includes connecting means which are complementary to and engageable with the connecting means of a display unit fitted therein.

Additionally, in preferred embodiments, the illuminatable property sign further incorporates a light source switching means in the form of a photoactivable sensor (not shown). This causes the light source to be activated in response to diminishing light conditions. The illuminatable property sign can further include a passive infrared sensor to illuminate the sign when a person approaches and to aid the person's identification of the particular property to which the sign is fitted. These sensors can either be fitted to the exterior of the display unit or an outer casing, or behind an infra-red transmissive window, suitably of a clear plastics material or glass, within the display unit or outer casing.

The display unit further includes a control module (not shown) which links the display module of the illuminating property sign to the power supply and photoactivable sensor and/or passive infrared sensor, as appropriate. The detail of the construction of the control module will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art and is not described in further detail here.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An illuminatable property sign comprising: a display unit comprising a plurality of light sources and a screen; and a control module, wherein the plurality of light sources are arranged to define a predefined alphanumeric character.

2. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises one or more display modules, each module defining a predefined alphanumeric character.

3. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the display unit comprises a plurality of display modules to represent a multicharacter display.

4. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein each display module comprises an alphanumeric character display formed from at least some of the plurality of light sources.

5. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each display module further comprises module connecting means for connecting a plurality of display modules in series.

6. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 5, wherein the module connecting means comprise physical connecting means such as complementary lugs and slots.

7. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the module connecting means further comprise electrical connecting means.

8. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display unit further comprises display unit connecting means for securing one or more display modules therein.

9. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 8, wherein the display unit connecting means comprise physical connecting means such as complementary lugs and slots.

10. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the display unit connecting means further comprise electrical connecting means.

11. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the display unit connecting means are complementary to and engageable with the module connecting means.

12. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sign further comprises an outer casing for housing a display unit.

13. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 12, wherein the outer casing comprises display unit casing connecting means.

14. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 13, wherein the casing connecting means are complementary to and engageable with the connecting means of the display unit.

15. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light sources are LEDs.

16. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the illuminatable property sign is powered by a mains power supply.

17. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the illuminatable property sign is powered by a self-contained power supply.

18. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 17, wherein the self contained power supply comprises a battery unit which includes a rechargeable battery, and the illuminatable property sign further comprises a solar cell to store solar energy by charging the rechargeable battery.

19. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising a secondary power source, suitably in the form of a conventional battery.

20. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a light source switching means.

21. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 20, wherein the switching means comprises a photoactivable sensor to activate the light source in response to diminishing light conditions.

22. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the switching means has three switching positions comprising an "off" position, a "sensor-activated "on" position, and an "on" position.

23. An illuminatable property sign as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a passive infrared sensor.

24. An illuminatable property sign substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.